Dominic Latham

Dom's professional software development career began in 1996. His expertise lies primarily in full-stack web application development, but he also possesses experience in interaction design, data design, and product management.

Dom holds a Master's degree in digital humanities and joined 84000 in 2017. The success of his first startup significantly impacted his career path, leading him from digital humanities into the private sector. Working at 84000 offered him the opportunity to return to the digital humanities field, merging his passion for Buddha Dharma with the experience gained in professional software teams.

Upon starting at 84000, Dom was offered office space at his local Dharma center in Berlin. This spacious, unfinished room upstairs in the temple provided serene views of the garden and Stupa. Each workday began by entering this calming space adorned with images of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Here, Dom developed the 84000 Reading Room and back-office systems used to manage, monitor, and publish project work.

Working in the same environment where he often meditated and received teachings inspired Dom to explore how his work could embody that spirit. This introspection extended beyond collaboration with colleagues to a deeper consideration of technology within the vast Buddhist perspective. Dom contemplated: What do data structures, code, networks, and users look like through the lens of Buddhist teachings on emptiness, delusion, impermanence, and compassion? How could the seemingly concrete process of building software applications be transformed into a spiritual and contemplative practice?

Though no longer residing in Berlin, the essay leaves the reader with a sense of hope that Dom capitalized on this unique and precious opportunity.

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